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During the Senate debate on her confirmation, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said: "As Judge Elrod's career makes clear, she is well-qualified for a seat on the federal appellate bench," according to his news release announcing the confirmation.

Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., however, complained on the Senate floor Thursday night that Elrod has no federal judicial experience, that she has no criminal experience, and that she has no track record of legal opinions that could be examined to assess how faithfully she would interpret the Constitution.

Elrod has presided in the 190th State District Civil Court since 2002, when Gov. Rick Perry appointed her to the vacant bench after she had won the Republican nomination. She was elected to a full term that year and was re-elected in November.

Before becoming a judge, she worked at the Baker Botts law firm for about eight years. She previously worked for two years as a clerk for U.S. District Judge Sim Lake.

As a lawyer, Elrod did a lot of work pro bono for people who couldn't afford legal help, said John Anaipakos, her friend and former colleague at Baker Botts.

Anaipakos said Elrod has a great deal of integrity and a sharp legal mind.

"In a lot of ways, she is unassuming," he said, "and very down to earth. She is somebody who speaks to anyone and always has a kind word to say."

Elrod was born in Port Arthur and grew up in Baytown. She is married and the mother of two young children.

Elrod earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Baylor University in 1988 and a law degree from Harvard in 1992.